Two objects of the same mass are located on top of a tower. Both objects are released from the tower at the same time. One is pushed parallel to the ground, while the other drops vertically. Which ball reaches the ground first?

Use the following animation to check your hypothesis.

Height =

Conclusion

Main Concept

If the effect of air resistance is neglected, both balls will reach the ground at the same time.

Why?

Each ball falls the same vertical distance and both accelerate due to gravity. The ball moving horizontally is traveling faster overall, but the vertical component of its motion is the same as that for the ball falling vertically. Notice that the initial speed in the vertical direction is 0 for both objects.